Decking system and anchoring device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an anchoring device for joining three boards. It includes a substantially flat horizontal top element having a top view configuration which includes two sides and has a first predetermined width as measured wide to side at its maximum width between the two sides. There is at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element along an imaginary center line and extending downwardly from the top element for a predetermined length, which has two sides and a second predetermined width as measured side to side at its maximum width. There is a substantially flat horizontal bottom element which includes two sides and has a third predetermined width as measured side to side at its maximum width. The first predetermined width is greater than both the second predetermined width and the third predetermined width, and the third predetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width. The invention also includes a decking system utilizing the anchoring device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is directed to an improved anchoring devicefor joining adjacent boards, e.g. decking systems, more specifically,the invention is an anchoring device, as well as a system containing ananchoring device and decking boards in combination. The system providesthe ability for pre-setting distances between adjacent boards andattaching to at least one joint board while securing at least oneadjacent board. Thus, the anchoring device physically joins two adjacentboards in the same plane to a third, supporting board.

[0003] 2. Information Disclosure Statement

[0004] The following patents are representative of the state of the artfor wood joining devices, equipment and methods:

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,184,080 to D'Arcy describes a structure of theclass described, the combination of frame pieces disposed at an angle toeach other and plate-like corner irons having angularly disposedflanges, said corner irons being arranged in opposed pairs on the sidesof and secured to the ends of meeting frame pieces with their flangesengaging the inner edges thereof in overlapping telescoping relation toeach other, the inner flanges having vertical nail slots therein andbrads on their edges driven into the frame pieces, the outer flangeshaving nail perforations opposite the nail slots, there being nailsdisposed through the said perforations and slots and driven into theframe.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,332,081 to G. M. Hunt et al is directed to awooden panel. It is described as a panel comprising wooden strips joinedalong their edges with glue, each strip having at least one groove inits edge matching groove in the edge of the adjoining strip, an asbestosmillboard spline fitted in the matching grooves and bridging the jointbetween the strips, crossbands covering the strips on both sides of thepanel, and veneers covering the crossbands.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,252 to Ellinwood describes a wall structureof the character described comprising a pair of adjacent wallboardpanels having meeting edges, each of said panels being formed with agroove opening into its meeting edge, the groove in each panel providingan outer lip and an inner lip, said outer lips being in abuttingrelation, a joining strip permanently secured to the under surface ofsaid outer lips, said inner lips being spaced, a T-shaped connectingmember movably positioned in said groove and having a base in spacedrelation to said inner lips, and means for anchoring said connectingmember to a structural element.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,398,603 to Soderberg describes a joining staple,comprising a metal body having at least two portions extending at rightangles to each other and at least two teeth carried upon each of saidportions, each of said teeth consisting of a flat substantiallyrectangular body having a cutting edge extending substantially parallelto its body portion, the cutting edges of all of said teeth beinglocated in one plane, each of said portions having another cutting edgeextending between the teeth of that portion, the second mentionedcutting edges being also located in one plane.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,387 to Lank describes the method ofconstructing a plurality of wooden posts each of which has a connectorelement incorporated therein adjacent each end thereof which methodcomprises forming a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in oneside of each of a pair of wooden blanks from which the posts are to beformed, forming a transverse groove adjacent each end of said side ofeach of said blanks with the transverse grooves intersecting thelongitudinal grooves, providing a pair of connector retaining memberswith a plurality of seats for receiving connector elements, the numberand spacing of said seats in each of said connector retaining membersconforming to the number and spacing of the longitudinal grooves in eachof said blanks, placing connector elements in each of said seats,positioning said blanks with their grooved sides together and with saidconnector retaining members in said transverse grooves, bonding saidblanks together, and severing the thus bonded assembly alonglongitudinal lines intermediate said longitudinal grooves.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,988 to Ganner is directed to a fitting forreleasably joining two structural components. It is illustrated forreleasably joining two structural components particularly plate-shapedstructural components which extend at a right angle relative to oneanother, a fitting has a preferably cylindrical locking element whichcan be inserted either directly in a bore in the first structuralcomponent or it can be inserted indirectly in a housing, and a holdingpiece with a holding projection anchored in the second structuralcomponent. In the assembled position, the holding projection & abutsagainst one or two gripping surfaces of the locking element whichgripping surfaces are of, for example, eccentric shape, and the holdingprojection is pulled toward the locking element when the locking elementis turned. The holding piece is constructed plate-shaped and isinsertable in a slot in the second structural component.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,458 to Sparrow describes a floor composed ofparallel spaced beams having flanges and blocks of polystyrene foamwhich are laid on the flanges to bridge the gaps between the beams.Boards are laid on the polystyrene blocks, and are supported by theblocks, which form load-bearing members of the floor. The blocks mayhave flanged portions extending over the beams, so as to provide heatinsulation.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,027 to Legler et al illustrates a biscuitjoiner. It is described as a biscuit joiner for cutting semi-ellipticalslots in opposing edges of workpieces which are to be joined along thoseedges includes a housing adapted to be mounted upon the quill of amulti-purpose woodworking tool, which housing encloses a rotary sawblade adapted to be attached to a spindle projecting from the quill onwhich the housing is mounted. A spring loaded guide projects from thefront face of the housing and has a slot therethrough, so that when thefront face of the guide is engaged by an edge of a workpiece to beslotted the guide can be pushed inwardly against spring pressure,allowing the rotary saw blade to be exposed and form a slot in the edgeof the workpiece. Adjustable stops are provided on the guide so that adesired depth of cut will automatically be made after adjustment. Analternative construction of this biscuit joiner is especially adaptedfor use in conjunction with a conventional drill press, with the arborwhich carries the saw blade being clamped in the chuck on the drivespindle of the drill motor.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,280 of Turner describes a sheet metalconnector that is provided for use with timber building components ofthe type that has nails to be driven through the sheet metal into thetimber. The connector has substantially U-shaped cuts in the sheet metalto define nailing tongues. The nailing tongues have a deformation foruse in providing a nail entry point so that a nail driven therethroughwill serve to drive the nailing tongue into the timber.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,211 to Gilb describes a connector forsecuring a wood railing to a wood post by fasteners which are in shearin relation to all forces imposed upon the railing. The connector is asingle piece sheet metal member formed in a generally triangular crosssection with openings provided for the insertion of the fasteners. Theconnector is placed on the underside of the railing to eliminate all topnailing or driving of screws through the top side of the rail.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,891 to Slocum describes a flooringconstruction which is provided having a unitary construction with a toplayer providing a finished flooring surface and an insulation layeradjacent the top layer. The flooring panel includes an upper portion anda lower portion. The upper portion has a larger dimension than the lowerportion and extends outwardly beyond the lower portion. A recessedportion between the upper portion and the lower portion defines achannel. A plurality of interlock support elements having a vertical weband an upper horizontal flange are arranged so that the horizontalflange extends into the channel. The vertical web extends below thelower portion to raise the flooring.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,996 to Hiller et al describes a connectingelement for connecting two parts generally in a connection plane has afirst portion for connecting the element relative to a first of theparts and second portion for connecting the element relative to thesecond part. The second portion includes actuation members which onrelative movement of the parts substantially along the connection planeurge the parts forcefully towards each other.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,732 to Fujii et al illustrates a wood joiningstructure and method thereof. It is described as a technique is providedfor joining wood members. A plurality of slits are formed on the endportions of wood pieces desired to be joined, and the end portions areabutted with corresponding slits in alignment to form a common surface.Each of the abutted wood end portions is fixed by temporary fixing meansto a desired joining state. Thereafter, an adhesive agent is appliedinto the interior surfaces of the slits. Connecting plates, e.g., madeof a reinforced plastic material coated with the adhesive agent, areinserted into the aligned slits. The adhesive agent is then hardened.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,649 to Gilb describes an intermediate rail topost connection including a sheet metal connector for attaching a woodintermediate rail to a wood post is disclosed. The sheet metal connectoris preferably formed with a base member, an integral seat member and apost engaging flange. Preferably four fasteners which may be eitherscrews or nails are inserted through suitable openings in the sheetmetal connector. Two of the fasteners pierce the sheet metal connector,the intermediate rail and the post in such a way as to be in doubleshear. The other two fasteners are inserted through the sheet metalconnector directly into the wood post. The sheet metal connector isplaced on the underside of the intermediate rail and all fasteners aretherefore inserted from the underside of the intermediate rail.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,433 to Stastny explicates a biscuit and jointmade using same. It is described as a biscuit having octagonal outerperiphery is used to form a joint between first and second workpieces.The biscuit fits within arcuate slots formed in the workpieces, withglue placed in the slots and/or on the biscuit before the joint is puttogether. The biscuit is made of an anhydrous compressed wood.

[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,117 to Fleming, III describes a bracket formounting a rotary lock member in the frame of a panel which is provided.The bracket is a preferably U-shaped body having a base and two legsextending therefrom. The inner dimension of the bracket is chosen toallow insertion of a rotary lock member therein. Panel engaging stepsand protrusions are located on the outside surface of each leg forengaging the frame material. The legs of the bracket are biased inwardlytowards one another, such that when a locking member is insertedtherein, the legs are pressed outwardly, driving the protrusions intothe frame material. A number of bores are located in the bracket toallow supplemental locking members to lock the bracket to the frame.

[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,428 to Bischof is directed to a metallicstructural element for connecting workpieces consisting of wood,woodworking material or plastic. It is described as a metallicstructural element for connecting workpieces consisting of wood,woodworking material or plastic, consisting of a lamellar part, whichprovides the non-positive connection with the first workpiece providedwith a groove and a transverse hole, and a bolt-like part which, throughscrewing or pinning, realizes the non-positive connection with thesecond workpiece provided with a longitudinal hole. The lamellar parthas, in the center, a hole which is at right angles to the plane of thelamella and is intended for fixing in the groove of the workpiece.Variants having a wing-like long or rectangular short lamellar part anda bolt-like part in the form of a conical wood screw, cylindrical screw,screw having a metal thread, threaded sleeve or pin. Accessories:screwing tool and drilling template.

[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,248 to Callies describes a constructionhanger for supporting a joist, rafter or the like to a support beam, inwhich the hanger is provided with a holddown tab for insuring properseating of the joist to hanger during the installation process. Theinvention also relates to a method of making such a hanger.

[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,580 to Leek et al describes a positivefastener-angling device for positioning an elongated fastener withrespect to the face of a sheet metal connector and a wood member only ata preselected angle which is substantially less than 90 degrees byforming a slit-cut in the sheet metal connector by means of a die whichprogressively at the same station, forms a fastener guideway in theshape of a half cone. The fastener opening and the guideway aredimensioned so that the fastener can only penetrate the sheet metalconnector at a preselected angle set at the factory.

[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,016 to Erwin et al describes an extrudedplastic decking plank for mounting to an underlying support structure,the plank having a rigid foam core, a resilient outer plastic shell, anda clamping portion for securing the plank to the support structure. Thetop surface of the plank can be provided with a non-slip surface. Theinvention also includes an attachment system for securing such deckingplanks to a support structure by engaging the clamping portions of thedecking planks onto clamps or hold down blocks which are secured ontothe support structure, and which permit relative motion between theplanks and the structure in the planks' lengthwise direction to prevent.stress and buckling caused by uneven expansion.

[0025] Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neithertaught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention is an anchoring device for joining threeboards. It includes a substantially flat horizontal top element having atop view configuration which includes two sides and has a firstpredetermined width as measured side to side (This first predeterminedwidth is measured at a maximum width between the two sides). The topelement has an imaginary center line and there is at least onesubstantially vertical support member attached to the underside of thetop element along the imaginary center line and extending downwardlytherefrom for a predetermined length. This substantially verticalsupport member has two sides and a second predetermined width asmeasured side to side at its maximum width. There is also asubstantially flat horizontal bottom element having a flat bottom viewconfiguration which includes two sides and has a third predeterminedwidth as measured side to side at its maximum width.

[0027] The first predetermined width is greater than both the secondpredetermined width and the third predetermined width, and the thirdpredetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width. Bythis configuration, the present invention anchor device is adapted tomaintain the top element in a predetermined position during use forjoinder of two adjacent boards which have been pre-cut with receivingslots, and to position the bottom element upon a support board on whichthe two adjacent boards rest for attachment of the anchoring device tothe support board for anchoring and support of the two adjacent boards.

[0028] Preferably, the anchoring device bottom element has a generallytrapezoidal shape with its greatest width at a trapezoidal base. Also,the vertical support member may have a plurality of recesses withsupport columns located therebetween.

[0029] The anchoring device of the present invention may be fabricatedwith any available material, but is preferably made of molded plasticmaterial capable of having a metal fastener driven through.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a decking system. Itincludes a plurality of decking boards, each decking board having a top,a bottom, two sides, and two ends, and at least one groove located alongone of the sides. Preferably, there is a groove on both sides, exceptthat end pieces may only have one groove. The groove adapted to receivethe anchoring device described above, which is included in the system.

[0031] In preferred embodiments, the boards have an upper portion abovethe slots which is wider than a lower portion below the slots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

[0033]FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention anchoring device, FIG. 2 illustrates a front view, andFIG. 3 illustrates an end view thereof;

[0034]FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed end view of the present inventionanchoring device shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, with relative widthillustrated;

[0035]FIGS. 5 and 6 show alternative embodiment top views of presentinvention anchoring devices;

[0036]FIG. 7 shows an end view of the present invention device shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 but being attached to a joist and a first deck boardand a second deck board where both deck boards are supported by thatjoist; and

[0037]FIG. 8 shows an end view of a preferred present invention deckingsystem board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0038] In FIG. 1, there is shown a top view of present inventionanchoring device 1. Device 1 includes a top element 2 having a flat topsurface 3 as shown, and a top view shape of a rectangle. It includeswalls 5 and 7, which are parallel to one another in preferredembodiments, but need not be parallel to be within the scope of thepresent invention. In this case, they are perfectly symmetrical and haveflat sidewalls 5 and 7. Perfect symmetry is preferred but not essential.Without exceeding the scope of the present invention, these top elementshapes could be slightly modified, such as having non-linear segments,e.g., arcs or linear segments at angles.

[0039] Top element 2 also includes an imaginary attachment line 8 belowwhich extends a vertical support member and a bottom element.

[0040]FIGS. 2 and 3 show front and end (right side) views, respectivelyof device 1 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, device 1 includes top element 2. avertical support member 4 with walls 9 and 11, and recesses such asrecess 17, creating support columns, such as column 15. Bottom element 6has a substantially flat horizontal bottom surface 21 and tapered walls13 and 15. Anchoring device 1 has a predetermined height so as to reston a joist in such a way as to establish anchor top element 2 at apredetermined height from the joist for attachment of two adjacentboards thereto which have pre-cut slots corresponding thereto.

[0041]FIG. 4 shows a blown up end view of anchoring device 1 as shown inFIG. 3, with identical parts identically numbered in part, and withwidth designations, as illustrated. Specifically, in FIG. 4, top element2 has a width W_(TB), as measured from side to side at its maximumwidth. Vertical support member 4 has width W_(M), as measured from sideto side at its maximum width. Likewise, bottom element 6 has a widthW_(B), as measured from side to side at its maximum width. It isimportant to note that W_(T), the first predetermined width, being thewidth of top element 2, is greater than both W_(M), the predeterminedwidth of vertical support member 4, as well as W_(B), the predeterminedwidth, being a third predetermined width of bottom element 6. In otherwords, the width of the top element is greater than both the width ofthe vertical support member and the width of the bottom element.Moreover, the width of bottom element 6, W_(B), while it is less thanwidth W_(T) of top element 2, it is also greater than the width ofvertical support member 4, W_(B). These critical relationships allow formaximum support of adjoining slotted boards while minimizing the spacebetween the boards to typical or conventional deck spacing.

[0042]FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show top views, respected with, of presentinvention anchoring device 31 and 41 to nearly illustrate that the topview of the top element need not be of parallel sides. Anchoring device31 of FIG. 5 has parallel sides which are tapered at both ends whileanchoring device 41 of FIG. 6 has subsequently not parallel,non-symmetrical sides. Parallel, symmetrical, mirror image sides arepreferred in the present invention anchoring device but as now can beseen, variations may be made without exceeding the scope of the presentinvention.

[0043]FIG. 7 shows present invention anchoring device 1 in use.Anchoring device 1 is inserted into pre-cut slot 55 of horizontal beam45, shown in its end view of cut wood 51. A staple, nail or screw ispassed through anchoring device 1 into joist beam 59. Large staples arepreferred and simplest for attachment. This anchor attaches device 1 tojoist beam 59 and establishes the elevation of top element 2 so as tomatch with slot 55.

[0044] Next beam 47 with its slot 57 in its end view of cut wood 53 willbe placed adjacent to anchoring device by being slid into position withthe top element of anchoring device 1 fitting into slot 57 and thebottom of beam 47 resting on joist 59. By this method, anchoring device1 attaches all three boards to one another as the top element aspectsare typically tight-fitting. The bottom element also aids in placementand security by fitting under the edge of the beams as shown in theFigure. Thus, for example, decking boards may be attached without theneed for nails or screws entering the beams themselves from the top.

[0045]FIG. 8 shows a detailed end view of beam 45 from FIG. 7. This is apreferred component of the present invention decking system. As can beseen, the slot 55 represents a midpoint or approximate midpointimaginary line 65 divides the beam into an upper or top portion 67, anda lower or bottom portion 69. As can be seen, the top portion 67 has agreater width W_(TB), than the bottom portion W_(BB). This provides fortightness of the anchoring device, increases stability and hides more ofthe anchoring device from a top view, enabling tight top portion beamspacing, yet enabling thicker anchoring devices for strength andstability.

[0046] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchoring device for joining three boards,which comprises: (a) a substantially flat horizontal top element havinga top view configuration which includes two sides and has a firstpredetermined width as measured side to side, said first predeterminedwidth being measured at a maximum width between said two sides, said topelement having an imaginary center line; (b) at least one substantiallyvertical support member attached to the underside of said top elementalong said imaginary center line of said top element and extendingdownwardly therefrom for a predetermined length, said substantiallyvertical support member having two sides and a second predeterminedwidth as measured side to side at its maximum width; and, (c) asubstantially flat horizontal bottom element having a flat bottom viewconfiguration which includes two sides and has a third predeterminedwidth as measured side to side at its maximum width; wherein said firstpredetermined width is greater than both said second predetermined widthand third predetermined width, and wherein said third predeterminedwidth is greater than said second predetermined width, and saidanchoring device is adapted to maintain said top element in apredetermined position during use for joinder of two adjacent boardswhich have been pre-cut with receiving slots, and to position saidbottom element upon a support board which said two adjacent boards restfor attachment of said anchoring device to said support board foranchoring and support of said two adjacent boards.
 2. The anchoringdevice of claim 1 wherein said bottom element has a generallytrapezoidal shape with its greatest width at a trapezoidal base.
 3. Theanchoring device of claim 1 wherein said vertical support member has aplurality of recesses with support columns located therebetween.
 4. Theanchoring device of claim 1 wherein said device is made of moldedplastic material capable of having a metal fastener driven through.
 5. Adecking system which comprises: I. a plurality of decking boards; each.decking board having a top, a bottom, two sides, and two ends, and atleast one groove located along one of said sides, said groove adapted toreceive an anchoring device; and, II. an anchoring device whichcomprises: (a) a substantially flat horizontal top element having a topview configuration which includes two sides said and has a firstpredetermined width as measured side to side, said first predeterminedwidth being measured a maximum width between said sides, said topelement having an imaginary center line; (b) at least one substantiallyvertical support member attached to the underside of said top elementalong said imaginary center line of said top element and extendingdownwardly therefrom for a predetermined length, said substantiallyvertical support member having two sides and a second predeterminedwidth as measured side to side at its maximum width; and, (c) asubstantially flat horizontal bottom element having a flat bottom viewconfiguration which includes two sides and has a third predeterminedwidth as measured side to side at its maximum width; wherein said firstpredetermined width is greater than both said second predetermined widthand third predetermined width, and wherein said third predeterminedwidth is greater than said second predetermined width, and saidanchoring device is adapted to maintain said top element in apredetermined position during use for joinder of two adjacent boardswhich have been pre-cut with receiving slots, and to position saidbottom element upon a support board which said two adjacent boards restfor attachment of said anchoring device to said support board foranchoring and support of said two adjacent boards.
 6. The decking systemof claim 5 wherein said bottom element has a generally trapezoidal shapewith its greatest width at a trapezoidal base.
 7. The decking system ofclaim 5 wherein said vertical support member of said anchoring devicehas a plurality of recesses with support columns located therebetween.8. The decking system of claim 5 wherein said device is made of moldedplastic material capable of having a metal fastener driven through. 9.The decking system of claim 5 wherein said groove establishes an upperhalf of said board above said groove and a lower half of said boardbelow said groove, wherein said upper half has a greater width than saidlower half.
 10. The decking system of claim 5 wherein said plurality ofdecking boards are made of materials selected from the group consistingof synthetic polymers, at least partially foamed synthetic polymer,wood, wood composite, and combinations thereof.
 11. An anchoring devicefor joining three boards, which comprises: (a) a substantially flathorizontal top element having a top view configuration which includestwo parallel sides and has a first predetermined width as measured sideto side, said top element having an imaginary center line; (b) at leastone substantially vertical support member attached to the underside ofsaid top element along said imaginary center line of said top elementand extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length, saidsubstantially vertical support member having two parallel sides and asecond predetermined width as measured side to side; and, (c) asubstantially flat horizontal bottom element having a flat bottom viewconfiguration which includes two parallel sides and has a thirdpredetermined width as measured side to side; wherein said firstpredetermined width is greater than both said second predetermined widthand third predetermined width, and wherein said third predeterminedwidth is greater than said second predetermined width, and saidanchoring device is adapted to maintain said top element in apredetermined position during use for joinder of two adjacent boardswhich have been pre-cut with receiving slots, and to position saidbottom element upon a support board which said two adjacent boards restfor attachment of said anchoring device to said support board foranchoring and support of said two adjacent boards.
 12. The anchoringdevice of claim 11 wherein said bottom element has a generallytrapezoidal shape with its greatest width at a trapezoidal base.
 13. Theanchoring device of claim 11 wherein said vertical support member has aplurality of recesses with support columns located therebetween.
 14. Theanchoring device of claim 11 wherein said device is made of moldedplastic material capable of having a metal fastener driven through. 15.A decking system which comprises: I. a plurality of decking boards, eachdecking board having a top, a bottom, two sides, and two ends, and atleast one groove located along one of said sides, said groove adapted toreceive an anchoring device; and, II. an anchoring device whichcomprises: (a) a substantially flat horizontal top element having a topview configuration which includes two parallel sides and has a firstpredetermined width as measured side to side, said top element having animaginary center line; (b) at least one substantially vertical supportmember attached to the underside of said top element along saidimaginary center line of said top element and extending downwardlytherefrom for a predetermined length, said substantially verticalsupport member having two parallel sides and a second predeterminedwidth as measured side to side; and, (c) a substantially flat horizontalbottom element having a flat bottom view configuration which includestwo parallel sides and has a third predetermined width as measured sideto side; wherein said first predetermined width is greater than bothsaid second predetermined width and third predetermined width, andwherein said third predetermined width is greater than said secondpredetermined width, and said anchoring device is adapted to maintainsaid top element in a predetermined position during use for joinder oftwo adjacent boards which have been pre-cut with receiving slots, and toposition said bottom element upon a support board which said twoadjacent boards rest for attachment of said anchoring device to saidsupport board for anchoring and support of said two adjacent boards. 16.The decking system of claim 15 wherein said bottom element has agenerally trapezoidal shape with its greatest width at a trapezoidalbase.
 17. The decking system of claim 15 wherein said vertical supportmember of sa id anchoring device has a plurality of recesses withsupport columns located therebetween.
 18. The decking system of claim 15wherein said device is made of molded plastic material capable of havinga metal fastener driven through.
 19. The decking system of claim 15wherein said groove establishes an upper half of said board above saidgroove and a lower half of said board below said groove, wherein saidupper half has a greater width than said lower half.
 20. The deckingsystem of claim 15 wherein said plurality of decking boards are made ofmaterials selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, atleast partially foamed synthetic polymer, wood, wood composite, andcombinations thereof.